Game apparatus.



No. 782,182. PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905. J. VICKERS. GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED-TAN. 12, 1904.

UNTTED STATES PATENT Patented February '7, 1905.

FFICEe JOSEPH VICKERS, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FREDERICK E. SMITH, OF IVAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 782,182, dated February '7, 1905.

Application filed January 12, 1904. Serial No. 183.740.

To uZl whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, JosErH VIOKERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Camden, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to a portable game apparatus for amusement in which devices designated as goals anda buoyant ball are employed and in which this ball is adapted to be manipulated by a blowpipe for making a goal and for protecting either of the goals in the game; and in such connection the invention has for its object to provide a comparatively simple, portable, and effective game apparatus having the defined features mentioned for amusement or pleasure.

The nature and characteristic features of my present invention will be more fully understood from the followingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a game apparatus completely set up and with the accessories thereof embodying the features of my invention and illustrating also how the game is played in the blowing of a goal or of how either one player or the other can protect a goal on either side of the game-board of the apparatus. Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively front and end elevational views of one of the devices designed to constitute a goal in the game. Fig. l is a view, partly in section and partly in side elevation, of the detachable clamp and removable cushion or strip adapted to surround the game-board to confine the buoyant ball within the field in which the goals are established on the game-board of the apparatus. Fig. 5 is a broken sectional view of the table and front elevational view of the surrounding cushioning-strip of the table of the game apparatus. Fig. 6 is a view in elevation and in section of a blowpipe for manipulating a buoyant ball in the playing of the game, and Fig. 7 is a view in elevation and in section of the buoyant ball for a game apparatus of my said invention.

Referring to the drawings, A is a table or other suitable structure, on the top of which, near the edges thereof, is arranged a flexible strip 7) to serve as a cushion for the gameboard. This strip 7) is held to place in a vertical position around the respective sides of the table or other structure A by means of detachable clamps 1:, with which the strip engages by passing in and out about the upper portion of the clamp c, as illustrated in Figs. t and This clamp c, composed of wire or the like, is formed into an upper loop w, and the two members extending therefrom are bent forward at c" and then inward at 1;, so

as to embrace the surface of the table at the edges thereof and to thus secure the cushionstrip 7) in required vertical position to constitute on the top of the table a bounded field A, within which are (letachably mounted two wire or similar devices 1/ and 1/, designated as goals." These devices, each of preferably inverted-U shape, are provided with feet (1" and respectively bent in opposite directions at their extremities, so as to rest more or less firmly within the field A of the game-board apparatus A when placed in position thereon. (1 is a buoyant ball, as illustrated in Fig. 7, made of a light material and adapted to be placed in the center of the field of the board for starting the game. v is a blowpipe, made of tin or other preferred material, for manipulating the ball 1 over the field between or beyond the respective goal devices (I and 1/ of the apparatus, as clearly illustrated in Fig. l.

The manner of playing the game is as follows: The game-board A being arranged as illustrated in Fig. l, with the. two players occupying the position illustrated on opposite sides of the board or table A and with blowpipes w respectively in position in the mouths of the players, the game is started by one of the players blowing from behind a goal device 1/ or (Z the ball 1 to force by wind-pressure the same occupying a position in the center of the field on the outset under the goal device of the opponent player; but at the same time the opposite player by the blowpipe adapted to manipulate the ball attempts to prevent the blowing of a goal by the opponent, and thus as far as possible protecting his or her goal-point in the game.

- The player scoring six goals first is declared the winner of the game. Should the ball be blown off the table at either end, it must be placed four (4) inches from the goal of the player who blew it ofi as a penalty, and the ball is then blown off from its position by the opposite player.

Having thus described the nature and object of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A game apparatus of the character described having a table provided with a surrounding flexible strip and clamps arranged to form parallel portions with which said strip engages and having angular portions adapted to fit over and under the table to maintain said strip taut in a vertical position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH VICKERS.

Witnesses:

JOHN W. BARR, THOMAS B. HALL. 

